I think I've figured out just what's "missing" from Supernatural. We've gone on and on about the darkness and grit that has been missing from Supernatural, but, the truth is, I think more than anything, it's missing the character of those first few seasons. Things have gotten shinier as the years have gone on; the Men of Letters, their headquarters; Crowley's fake looking "throne room" in hell. I didn't just love those early seasons because they were dark; there was a ruggedness to them, and it was as inherent to the show as a fingerprint. The music, the car, the lore, the characters. I think of guys like Yellow Eyes, and I'm like "no villain they've had in the past three or four years has been as cool as he was.
I thought it was when they started introducing Angels that it lost it's edge, but, in hindsight, I really do believe it was after Kripke left.
Specifically, because I think of stuff like Titus Welliver as War driving around in a Cherry Red Mustang. It's stuff like that; that "American" twist, that really gave the show it's edge. I'm not saying the show's worse, but I'd almost rather they just get away from those elements or go back to them, because there's a shallowness to the way it's appears now.
I'm just thinking about last week's episode. The music just doesn't have the same bite to it. It's hard to get excited about hearing The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" when the montage builds up to Sam making a deal with the lady from Bewitched.
I don't know. To paraphrase Cap, "I'm with it to the end of the line," but I think about where we are, and I'd trade Oz, and Cain, and the Men of Letters for Colt's Railroad Devil's Trap and that showdown in the Old Western Ghost Town from Season 2 any day of the week.
Just think about it, for a second, but, when's the last time the boys went up against an urban legend that had that blue collar, American spin to it? I think that's why the monster of the week cases don't even feel that satisfying, anymore; it's just a superficial reminder of the past, where the boys go up against yet another generic ghost. I don't want to be a downer, but everything was better back then. I think the best way I can put it is Ash, Ellen, and Jo vs. Charlie and Garth. I think that may be why I loved Bobby so much; he was the last link to a bygone era.